Amazon.com, one of the world’s largest online retail platforms, says its Frustration-Free sustainable packaging initiative effectively reduces the use of rigid plastic outer packaging and cable ties.
Because overly rigid packaging materials or excessive packaging cause frustration and anger for consumers when unpacking, and also increase the consumption of natural resources, Amazon decided to promote the concept of sustainable packaging five years ago. This initiative started with only 19 products participating, but after five years of effort, more than 200,000 product packages are now designed to use easy-open, recyclable materials, reducing consumer frustration when unpacking and minimizing the negative environmental impact of packaging waste.
Amazon has partnered with more than 2,000 manufacturers, including international giants such as Fisher-Price, Mattel, Unilever, Seventh Generation, Belkin, Victorinox Swiss Army, and Logitech, to promote smaller packaging boxes made from recycled cardboard that can protect the contents while reducing packaging waste.
To date, Amazon has sold over 75 million sustainable packaging items to 175 countries. These items total:
– Saves 58.9 million square feet of cardboard;
– Reduced packaging waste by 2,470 pounds;
– Reduce transportation space by 14.5 million cubic feet.
In 2012, Amazon launched Vine.com, an online retail platform for green products, which sells only organic food, clothing, accessories, and household cleaning products produced by well-known green companies. These green companies include Seventh Generation, Method, Brita, and Burt’s Bee. Vine.com states that before listing a product, the manufacturer must provide certification reports proving its green claims, such as organic, all-natural, energy-saving, water-saving, using renewable energy, and using sustainable materials.
Sources: Environmental Leader (2013-12-06) (Compiled by PIDC)
